The Chicago Bulls went into the 2023 NBA draft with zero picks, but they decided to make some noise. Rather than sit on the sidelines and watch other teams add young talent, they traded into the 35th pick in a deal with the Washington Wizards and selected Tennessee forward Julian Phillips.
Phillips spent one year in college with the Volunteers after splitting his time in high school between Blythewood in South Carolina and Link Academy in Missouri. In a feature article written by Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic, Rodney Perry, Phillips’ former coach at Link, recalled what it was like recruiting Phillips.
Phillips was his final recruit; he is an assistant at Kansas State, and he remembers the 19-year-old fondly, noting that he could do everything on the basketball court.
“He did everything,” Perry told Mayberry. “He did stuff you can’t teach. It’s just natural.”
Link had a great season with Phillips. He teamed with Jordan Walsh, who was drafted 38th by the Boston Celtics, and other top prospects, but they lost in the finals to Montverde Academy, which also had an elite roster.
Perry continued to praise Phillip, highlighting his amazing work ethic.
“He has a routine and a regimen that he sticks with every single day,” Perry said. “No matter what his day looks like he’s going to do the same thing. His work ethic is what separates him. There were plenty of days where we’d have a pretty full day and guys would be worn out. But no matter what, he still went to the gym and got his work in while other guys would go to bed or relax. … So you can expect him to have that military work ethic too.”
Based on Perry’s kind words, the Bulls have landed themselves a great young player.
